Limited Bar Question?

Our bar is limited in a different way - limited selection of beer and wine plus one signature cocktail. But it's available for the duration.

I think you're better off with a time limit than a $ limit, if that's at all feasible for you. Guests won't be able to anticipate when you reach an unknown $ limit, so it'll seem like a curt, random shut-off to them. However, if you say the first hour, or two hours (or whatever) is covered, then the point at which they need to pay won't come so unexpectedly. But they do need to know ahead of time to bring cash.

We went to a wedding last June where beer was free all night but if you wanted a mix drink they were only free for the first two hours begining right before dinner they had a sign set up by the bar explaining this. Are you doing anything for free? We're doing two kinds of beer (one my side drinks the other his side drinks lol), soda and water. During dinner we're including milk, sweet tea and coffee. I'd offer at least something for guest to drink even if it's just soda.

Tea, coffee and water are included in the price for the dinner at the venue. I am going to try to get soda included too, because not everyone likes tea or coffee, plus I don't want my guests to have to pay for soda... so we will probably pay for soda if we have to. I thought of doing just a cocktail hour that was open and then maybe switch it over after dinner. I have cut back on so much to fit everything in the budget, just trying to work the alcohol situation in. And yes I want alcohol, so cutting that out all together is not an option. We are not big drinkers but we do like a drink now and again, and probably most of our guests would like to have an alcoholic beverage, or two!

You could always have cute little tickets, say it's two drinks per guest, give each guest two tickets (then if one doesn't want to drink, they can give their tickets to someone else and so on). It's easier to keep track of that way.

As for getting the word out, you could just have your bridal party spread the word and or put it on your wedding website.

Hmm.. .my bridal party is me, MOH, groom and his three boys (13, 10, and8) LOL! I haven't quite got my wedding website up, not sure if I really want to do one.

The tickets might be a good idea, though.

That's a good question Tina. I know a few brides on WW have had a limited bar up to a certain amount but I have no idea how they told their guests. I hope you get the answer you are looking for. Good luck!

I definitely don't recommend tickets as it has that "carnival feel" to a wedding rather than a nice formal event. Plus, it should not be up to the guest to keep track of their drinks but rather you to host them graciously.

If you must put a time or dollar limit on the bar, good old word of mouth is the best way to spread this. I would be upset if the bar switched to cash suddenly and embarrassed I had no cash to pay for it because I rarely carry cash, especially to a wedding where I leave my purse on a random table. Is credit card swiping an option at your venue?

@Cavan - this is why most etiquette professionals recommend hosting the whole bar or having a dry wedding. There is no polite way to suddenly insist guests open their wallet at a party that is supposed to be a thank you for witnessing a marriage.

The first one is an example of a CUTE way to make 'tickets'

The second is a carnival way of doing them (which, if that's your wedding style, there is nothing wrong with that)

I understand the aversion to tickets, but if you did something along the lines of the first option Judith F. posted, I think you'd be fine. But I do think you need to tell people that there will be a cash bar so they can bring cash if they want to. "2 complementary drinks then cash bar" sounds a lot more like a fundraiser than a wedding, but there has to be a good way to communicate that the booze isn't all free.

I added a note in my invitations. We are serving beer a cocktail and champagne. At my venue they could bring their own. I let my family and friends know ahead of time. I think tickets are a good idea. If someone got upset about having to pay for their drinks after 2, then they shouldnt be at your wedding.

We are doing a brunch for our wedding reception. On the website we listed a loose itinerary and on brunch we elaborated. Said we were having a “limited bar for mimosas and bloody mary’s. And a cash bar is available for those whose want something a little heavier.”